The Telegraph reports that UEFA are considering moving Euro 2020 to December of this year in a bid to allow domestic leagues to be completed, meaning Rangers would play their remaining league games during the summer months.
The report comes as the governing body gears up for talks with member nations in a videoconference on Tuesday, as European football’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is coordinated.
The Scottish Premiership is currently suspended ‘until further notice’ [SPFL.co.uk], while many other leagues across Europe have been halted until at least early April.
The Telegraph report corroborates others in suggesting that next month is an unrealistic target for the resumption of the leagues in question, but adds that UEFA are considering multiple possible ways to avoid those same competitions being scrapped.
The idea of moving the European Championships from this summer to next has already been touted, but now it’s suggested that they could instead be moved to December and played in the middle of next season.
It’s claimed that both the Champions League and the Europa League could also be ‘moved.’
Verdict
Most of the talk on Saturday has been about whether or not the title will be handed out if the Scottish Premiership season cannot be completed.
However, it appears that every avenue will be explored to ensure that scenario does not occur.
This is the first suggestion of the Euros taking place next winter, and perhaps that’s because logistically it would be a nightmare to organise.
Yet, FIFA have shown a willingness to take on such a project with the next World Cup set for Qatar in November 2022, so it is a possibility.
It appears that the suggestion would be to restart and finish the current season whenever possible and to then have a very short summer break before beginning the 2020/21 season, which would be moulded around the December Euros.
It’s a radical solution, but it seems there are plenty of options on the table going into Tuesday’s discussions.
